Dh115,500 for a 2BR - just service fee

Dubai-based Emaar Properties has not increased the 2012 service charges for its iconic Burj Khalifa, and has maintained it at the last year’s level, Emirates 24/7 can reveal.

Despite that, the service charges for the world’s tallest tower remain one of the highest in the world, with owners of residential units having to shell out Dh55.01 per sq ft in 2012 compared to Dh55 per sqft in 2011 and Dh52.77 per sqft in 2010.

Charges for Armani Residences in the Burj Khalifa remain the highest. They are set at Dh83.12 square feet. Which means that a 2,500 sq ft apartment will attract a service fees of Dh207,800 per year. In 2011 and 2010, the charges were Dh83.71 per sq ft and Dh78.63 per sq ft, respectively.

Corporate suites owners’ will have to shell out Dh76.03 per sq ft this year compared to Dh76.02 per sq ft for 2011 (Dh71.99 per sq ft for 2010).

An apartment owner in Burj Khalifa, on conditions of anonymity, told this website that he was expecting service charges to up this year.

“The building is three years old. I was expecting the maintenance cost to go up, but we have been informed by the company that the service charges remain the same as of last year.”

The apartment owner said he was paying close to Dh115,521 per year in service charges for his two bedroom apartment.

“Services are impeccable… I don’t mind paying for that,” he added.

The service charge remains split into three components – community service fee, chiller charge and hot and cold-water charge.

For residential units, the community service fee is set at Dh46.74 per sq ft (Dh46.73 in 2011; Dh42.48 in 2010), chiller charge is at Dh7.40 per sq ft (Dh9.29; Dh7.40), while hot and cold water charge remains at 87 fils per sq ft (Dh1; 87 fils).

Corporate suites owners’ will pay community service fee of Dh67.74 per sq ft (Dh67.73 in 2011; Dh62.85 in 2010), chiller charge is at Dh7.40 per sq ft (Dh7.40; Dh8.14), while hot and cold water charge is 89 fils per sq ft (89 fils; Dh1).

Community service fees for Armani Residences stand at Dh46.29 per sq ft (Dh46.29 in 2011 and Dh39.35 in 2010), chiller charges remain at Dh7.40 per sq ft (Dh7.40; Dh9.28) and hot and cold water charge is constant at Dh1.02 per sq ft (Dh1.02; Dh1).

The Armani hospitality charge has been lowered marginally to Dh28.41 per sq ft compared from Dh29 per sq ft in 2011 and 2010.

The 2,717-feet high tower has 900 apartments, while the Armani Residences has 144 fully furnished private apartments.

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